Container for an analysis chip

ABSTRACT

A receptacle is described for accommodating an analysis chip ( 40 ), which has openings ( 12   a   , 12   b   ; 12   c   , 25 ) in housing ( 10 ) having access to analysis chip ( 40 ), which are protected from external influences by a movable protector ( 30 ), and which, for carrying out an analysis, is applied in a device which has a mechanism for opening the protector ( 30 ).

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

[0001] The present invention relates to a receptacle for accommodatingan analysis chip, in particular a chip for the molecular analysis and adevice for accommodating such a receptacle.

[0002] Modern analysis, especially in the fields of medicine andbiology, uses increasingly compact analysis methods these days. In thisconnection, analysis chips are particularly used, in the use of whichthe analysis steps are performed on the surface of an analysis chip.This surface mostly has a chemically active layer which, during theanalysis procedure is brought into contact with an analysis medium, apossible reaction of the analysis medium with the chip surface thenbeing evaluated with the aid of suitable measuring methods. The analysischip is able to have a densely packed array of fields which containvarious chemical substances. Using this, then, permits carrying out aplurality of individual analyses on a single analysis chip.

[0003] The small-dimensioned chemically active structure of the analysischip and the high requirements on carrying out an analysis processgenerally make the analysis chip very sensitive to external influences.Thus, even a slight contamination of the chip surface, such as afinger-print, is sufficient to make the analysis chip useless forrendering a meaningful analysis.

[0004] For this reason, analysis chips as a rule are manufactured anddelivered under conditions of strict cleanliness. In particular, theanalysis chips have to be carefully packed and protected fromcontamination, especially for transport and storage purposes. Theanalysis chips then have to be unpacked again for an analysis andbrought into an analytical environment, the chip surface having to bereliably protected from contamination.

[0005] The above-named requirements for handling the analysis chipspresent a problem in practice, and make working with analysis chipsrather difficult.

[0006] It is the object of the present invention to make available acost-effective repackaging which will protect the sensitive chip surfacefrom outer influences and make possible the safe and simple handling ofthe analysis chip. It is further the object of the present invention tomake available a device for the safe and simple handling of therepackaging along with the analysis chip.

[0007] This object is attained by a receptacle according to claim 1 anda device according to claim 8. Additional advantageous embodiments ofthe present invention are stated in the dependent claims.

[0008] The receptacle according to the present invention has a housinghaving an accommodation for an analysis chip, into which the analysischip is firmly installed, as well as access to an analysis medium, sothat removing the analysis chip from the receptacle for the purpose ofan analysis procedure is not necessary. This simplifies the handling ofthe analysis chip. The receptacle according to the present inventionalso has a movable protector, which, in a closed position, e.g. during atransport or storage procedure, covers the access for the analysismedium to the analysis chip which is present in the receptacle, anduncovers it in an open position for the analysis medium during theanalysis process. This reliably protects the access for the analysismedium, and consequently also the surface of the analysis chip, fromexternal influences such as soiling.

[0009] According to one preferred specific embodiment of the presentinvention, the receptacle has at least one additional opening area forchecking the analysis chip, which is preferably designed as a window foran optical measuring method. This makes unnecessary the removal of theanalysis chip from the receptacle for the purpose of evaluating theanalytical process. In this context, the movable protector is designedin such a way that the additional opening area is also covered by aclosing position of the protector. This avoids damage of the openingarea by external influences, such as scratches, and with that, possibleerrors when reading out analysis results. Thereby, the meaningfulness ofthe analysis procedure is increased overall.

[0010] According to another preferred specific embodiment of the presentinvention, the protector is developed as a sliding protector which isslidingly supported along a guideway. This achieves an especially simpleand easy-to-implement protective mechanism.

[0011] According to one further preferred specific embodiment of thepresent invention, between the protector and the receptacle housing, thereceptacle has a seal which is preferably made of a nonwoven fabric.This ensures that the access of the receptacle to the analysis chip isalso protected from small particles such as dust.

[0012] According to still another preferred specific embodiment of thepresent invention, the receptacle housing has a coding region, which maybe optically or mechanically scanned. This permits implementing a safetymeasure which prevents an mix-up of the analysis chips.

[0013] According to yet another preferred specific embodiment of thepresent invention, the receptacle housing has a recess which clearlyestablishes the spatial orientation of the receptacle. This avoids thatthe analysis chip is put into the analysis device in a wrong way andthereby the entire analysis process is endangered.

[0014] The device, according to the present invention, for accommodatingthe receptacle according to the present invention has an accommodationregion adapted to the receptacle, as well as a mechanism that brings thesliding protector of the receptacle from a closed position to an openposition. The accommodating region, which is preferably designed as adrawer, makes possible an especially simple and precise conveyance ofthe receptacle to an analysis device formed inside the device. Themechanism for opening the sliding protector of the receptacle, which ispreferably designed as a pin, only uncovers the accesses to the analysischip inside the device, so that these accesses, and consequently alsothe analysis chip itself, are protected from external influences which,for example, could have an effect on the analysis chip or its accesses,when the receptacle is mounted in the device with the sliding protectoralready open.

[0015] According to one preferred specific embodiment of the presentinvention, for accommodating the receptacle according to the presentinvention, in the accommodating region of the device, a structural partmay be designed in such a way that the structural part engages with therecess on the receptacle housing. This ensures a clear position of thereceptacle inside the accommodating device.

[0016] According to an additional preferred specific embodiment of thedevice according to the present invention, for accommodating thereceptacle according to the present invention, the device includes anoptical or a mechanical scanning device for scanning the coding regiondesigned to be on the receptacle housing. Hereby is achieved anespecially simple evaluation of the coding region of the receptacle, andconsequently the risk of a mix-up with respect to the analysis chip usedis clearly lessened.

[0017] Preferred specific embodiments of the present invention areexplained in more detail below, with reference to the drawings; thefigures show:

[0018]FIGS. 1, 3, 5, 7 through 11

[0019] various details of an exemplary embodiment of a receptacleaccording to the present invention for accommodating analysis chips;

[0020]FIG. 2 an alternative exemplary embodiment for a mounting supportfor the accommodation and a seal for the analysis chip in the receptacleaccording to the present invention;

[0021]FIG. 4 an alternative exemplary embodiment for a connectingprinciple of an external inlet line and discharge line for an analysismedium in the receptacle housing according to the present invention;

[0022]FIG. 6 an alternative exemplary embodiment for the guidance of asliding protector of the receptacle according to the present invention.

[0023]FIGS. 12 and 13

[0024] an exemplary embodiment for a device for accommodating thereceptacle according to the present invention.

[0025] The receptacle according to the present invention, foraccommodating the analysis chip is shown in greater detail in theexample of a receptacle for accommodating an analysis chip for carryingout a DNA analysis, whose analysis result is investigated with the aidof an optical measuring method.

[0026] The receptacle shown at the bottom may be used analogously alsofor chips for the analysis of any type of molecule or biologicalsamples. The measuring method used is moreover not limited to an opticalmeasuring method.

[0027]FIG. 1 shows a cross section through housing 10 of a receptacleaccording to the present invention for accommodating an analysis chip40. Receptacle housing 10 has a recess 11 adapted to analysis chip 40,in which analysis chip 40 is fastened. Above and below analysis chip 40,receptacle housing 10 has an opening region 12 a, 12 b respectively,which preferably are laid out as windows for an optical measuringmethod.

[0028] Analysis chip 40 includes two glass plates 41, 42, between whichthere is a chemically active layer 43. In lower glass plate 42 severalchannels 44 are formed, which open out on the upper side of glass plate42 into preferably meanderingly designed channels 45 within chemicallyactive layer 43. On the underside of glass plate 42, each of channels 44is tightly connected to a channel 20 in receptacle housing 10 by a seal21, which is preferably designed as a flat seal. Channels 20 perform thefunction of supply and discharge line for an analysis medium.Alternatively, seal 21 may also be designed as an adhesive.

[0029]FIG. 2 shows an additional exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention, analysis chip 40 being accommodated in housing 10 of thereceptacle according to the present invention, analogous to FIG. 1. Eachchannel 44 of lower glass plate 42 is tightly connected in a lower partto one of channels 20 of receptacle 10, using a ring-shaped sealingelement 22. Above analysis chip 40 there is a lid 13, by which analysischip 40 is pressed against elastic sealing elements 22. Lid 13establishes a tight connection to receptacle housing 10 which ispreferably executed as an adhesive or a welding. Above analysis chip 40,lid 13 has an open area 12 c, which is designed to be a window for anoptical measuring method.

[0030] Alternatively, lid 13 may also be connected to receptacle housing10 via a reversible connection, e.g. using a sealing element and aclamping device, this then making possible a multiple utilization of thereceptacle.

[0031]FIG. 3 shows a preferred connecting principle for an externalsupply line or discharge line 24 for the analysis medium, having anopening 25 in receptacle housing 10 according to the present invention,provided for the supply and the discharge of the analysis medium.Channel 20 for the analysis medium opens out in the vicinity of opening25 into an insertion part 23, which is preferably made of a metal.Insertion part 23 has a conically formed recess into which a likewiseconically formed end section 26 of external supply line and dischargeline 24 for the analysis medium penetrates undistortedly in such a waythat a tight connection is created over surface 27.

[0032]FIG. 4 shows an alternative connecting principle for externalsupply line and discharge line 24 for the analysis medium to channel 20in receptacle housing 10, supply line and discharge line 24 having aplanar end section 28 which engages with insertion part 23 in such a waythat a sealing of the connection is created by encircling edge 29.

[0033] Alternatively, the insertion part may be omitted, so that supplyline and discharge line 24 directly rests upon and seals housing 10.

[0034]FIG. 5 shows a cross section through housing 10 of the receptacleaccording to the present invention for analysis chip 40, a movableprotector designed as sliding protector 30 being provided, whichincludes entire housing 10 of the receptacle. Sliding protector 30 hasan elongated opening 37 at least on a partial region of its length alongits direction of motion, in which a preferably oblong guiding rail 31engages with receptacle housing 10 undistortedly, so that slidingprotector 30 is guided free of swing.

[0035]FIG. 6 shows an additional specific embodiment of the guiding ofsliding protector 30 shown in FIG. 5. In this connection, a section ofan edge of an opening 38, that extends over at least a partial sectionof sliding protector 30, forms a bent tab 33 which engages in a guidinggroove 32 which extends at least over a partial region of receptaclehousing 10, along the direction of motion of sliding protector 30, andwhich guides sliding protector 30 and guides it free of swing in itsmotion.

[0036] Alternatively to sliding protector 30, a movable protectordesigned in a different fashion is provided on the receptacle, forexample, a protector that is connected via a swivel joint to receptaclehousing 10 and is movable in a folding down or up fashion or rotatably.

[0037] A movable protector designed in accord with the above statementscovers, in its closed position, the access to the analysis chip and maypreferably be automatically opened by a mechanism within an analysisdevice. This guarantees a safe handling of the analysis chip outside theanalysis device.

[0038] In one preferred specific embodiment of receptacle housing 10according to the present invention, a resetting mechanism for slidingprotector 30 is provided. As shown in FIG. 7, in this connection,receptacle housing 10, in a separate region 50, has a resetting spring51, which is fastened in a corner 53 of receptacle housing 10 and a tab34 of sliding protector 30 which runs in an elongated opening 52 on anarrow side of receptacle housing 10. FIG. 7 shows resetting spring 51in the closed position of sliding protector 30. In the open position ofsliding protector 30, resetting spring 51 is stressed, and exercises aresetting force on sliding protector 30, which independently guidessliding protector 30 back into the closing position again.

[0039]FIG. 8 shows a top view onto housing 10 of the receptacleaccording to the present invention. To provide a clearer understanding,covered analysis chip 40 is drawn in, which is on the inside ofreceptacle housing 10. Sliding protector 30 has an opening 35 a, 35 b onits upper side and its lower side respectively. Openings 35 a, 35 b areapplied, in this context, in such a way that opening areas 12 a, 12 b inreceptacle housing 10, which are located above and below analysis chip40, and are preferably used as windows for an optical measuring method,are closed in the closing position shown in FIG. 8. Sliding protector 30is able to be guided free of swing into its opening position, from itsclosing position shown in FIG. 8, along guiding rail 31, opening areas12 a, 12 b being then uncovered in receptacle housing 10 for carryingout an optical measurement through openings 35 a, 35 b of slidingprotector 30.

[0040] In the upper part of FIG. 8, receptacle housing 10 has a codingregion 14 which is specified in the exemplary embodiment by five holesand is able to be scanned optically or mechanically. This makes itpossible to avoid a mix-up of the analysis chips. In the right uppercorner of FIG. 8, a recess 15 on receptacle housing 10 is shown, whichclearly defines the latter's spatial orientation in the analysis device.

[0041]FIG. 9 shows a lateral view of housing 10 of the receptacle inFIG. 8 according to the present invention, sliding protector 30 havingan additional opening 36, which uncovers openings 25 in receptaclehousing 10 in the open position of sliding protector 30, which, in theclosed position of sliding protector 30 are covered by the latter andare drawn in, in FIG. 9, only for illustrative purposes. On tab 34 ofsliding protector 30, which engages with elongated opening 52 ofreceptacle housing 10, resetting spring 51 is fastened which, in theopen position of sliding protector 30 exercises a resetting force onsliding protector 30, and guides it back to the closed position.

[0042] Receptacle housing 10 has a guiding groove 16, which is providedfor an opening mechanism that is preferably developed as a pin 65 in adevice according to the present invention for accommodating thereceptacle, and with which pin 65 engages and guides sliding protector30 from the closed position into the open position.

[0043]FIG. 10 shows a cross section through housing 10 of receptacle 10according to the present invention as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, analysischip 40 being set into recess 11 of receptacle housing 10. Above andbelow analysis chip 40, receptacle housing 10 has an opening region 12a, 12 b respectively, which are laid out as windows for an opticalmeasuring method. Sliding protector 30 forms a casing enclosing theentire cross section of receptacle housing 10, whose oblong opening 37in the right upper part of FIG. 10 lies closely adjacent to guiding rail31, which is formed as an elevation of receptacle housing 10, so that aswing-free motion of sliding protector 30 is ensured. Openings 25,developed as connections for external supply lines and discharge lines24 (not drawn in) are covered by sliding protector 30 in its closedposition.

[0044]FIG. 11 shows another lateral view of housing 10 of the receptacleaccording to the present invention shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, having fouropenings 25 in receptacle housing 10 developed as connections forexternal supply lines and discharge lines 24 for the analysis medium.For the sake of a better illustration, sliding protector 30 which,corresponding to the embodiment in FIG. 9, covers openings 25 inreceptacle housing 10 in its closed position, and uncovers it in itsopen position, is not drawn in here.

[0045]FIG. 12 shows a cross section through the device according to thepresent invention for accommodating the receptacle according to thepresent invention. For this, the device has an opening region 61 inhousing 60, which is preferably on the front side of the device. In thisopening region 61 an accommodating device, preferably developed as adrawer 62, is stored, whose accommodating region 64 has a depressionthat is adapted true to shape to receptacle housing 10, so that thereceptacle set into accommodating region 64 has a wobble-free seat.Drawer 62, as shown in FIG. 12, is charged with receptacle housing 10 inan open position. Structural part 63 in drawer 62, which correspondingto recess 15 is formed on receptacle housing 10, in this context,secures the clear position of receptacle housing 10 within accommodatingregion 64 of drawer 62.

[0046] On the inside of housing 60, there is the mechanism formed as pin65, which, during the closing procedure of drawer 62, is guided bothalong a depression 66 in drawer 62 and along guiding groove 16 ofreceptacle housing 10, and, in this context, carries sliding protector30 of receptacle housing 10 along with it, so that the sliding protectoris brought from the closed position into the open position.

[0047]FIG. 13 shows drawer 62 loaded with the receptacle according tothe present invention in a closed position, sliding protector 30 of thereceptacle having been brought into its open position by firmlyinstalled pin 65 of the device according to the present invention. Inthis connection, openings 12 a, 12 b, developed as windows for anoptical measuring method, are uncovered in receptacle housing 10 byopenings 35 a, 35 b of the sliding protector. In the same way, openings25, not drawn in in FIG. 13, in receptacle housing 10, which aredeveloped as connections for the external, and likewise not drawn in,supply lines and discharge lines 24 for the analysis medium, areuncovered by the sliding protector.

[0048] A mechanical scanning device 70, provided for scanning of codingregion 14, which is on receptacle housing 10, is positioned above orbelow coding region 14, and is preferably made up of pins 71, which,with the aid of a mechanism not described in more detail, engages withthe holes provided in coding region 14. The position of the pins isevaluated in the usual way, which is not described in greater detailbelow. Alternatively to scanning coding region 14, an optical scanningdevice (not drawn in) may be provided, the scanning device having one ormore light sources whose light shines through the holes provided incoding device 14, and is detected by one or more photosensors, andevaluated by an evaluating device that is not described in greaterdetail.

[0049] For this, there may be provided both a scanning device 70installed on the inside of the device, coding region 14 being suppliedonly in a closed position of drawer 62 to scanning device 70, and ascanning device 70 installed on drawer 62, the evaluation of codingregion 14 already taking place in an open position of drawer 62.

[0050] A device designed corresponding to the above exemplaryembodiment, for accommodating the receptacle according to the presentinvention, for carrying out an analysis, ensures a safe and preciseapplying of the analysis chip to the analysis environment, andconsequently makes possible reproducible analysis results along withsimplified handling of the analysis chip.

What is claimed is:
 1. A receptacle having a housing 10, which has anaccommodation (11) for an analysis chip (40), characterized by anopening (25) having access to the analysis chip (40) in order to supplyan analysis medium, as well as a movable protector (30) which, in aclosed position, covers the opening (25) and, in an open position,uncovers the opening (25).
 2. The receptacle as recited in claim 1,wherein an additional opening (12 a, 12 b; 12 c) is provided with accessto the analysis chip (40) in the housing (10), which is preferablyformed as a window for an optical measuring method, the movableprotector (30) covering the additional opening (12 a, 12 b; 12 c) in theclosed position and uncovering it in the open position.
 3. Thereceptacle as recited in one of claim 1, wherein the movable protector(30) is a sliding element which is preferably situated slidingly movablealong a guideway (31; 32) on the housing (10).
 4. The receptacle asrecited in one of claims 1 through 3, wherein between the housing (10)and the movable protector (30) a seal is provided, which seals at leastone of the openings (12 a, 12 b; 12 c, 25) in the closed position of themovable protector (30) and is preferably made of a nonwoven fabric. 5.The receptacle as recited in one of claims 1 through 4, wherein theanalysis chip (40) is designed for the analysis of DNA.
 6. Thereceptacle as recited in one of claims 1 through 5, wherein a codingregion (14) is provided on the housing (10) which is preferablyimplemented as an array of bores and is optically or mechanicallyscannable.
 7. The receptacle as recited in one of claims 1 through 6,wherein a recess (15) is provided on housing (10) which clearlyestablishes the spatial orientation of the receptacle.
 8. A device foraccommodating a receptacle as recited in one of the claims 1 through 7,wherein the device has an accommodating region (64) for the receptacleand a mechanism which is preferably formed as a pin (64) which bringsthe protector (30) on housing (10) of the receptacle from the closedposition into the open position for the operation of the analysis chips(40).
 8. The device as recited in claim 8, wherein in the accommodatingregion (64) for the receptacle a structural part (63) is provided whichis formed corresponding to the recess (15) on the housing (10) of thereceptacle, and which engages with the recess (15) and thereby ensures aclear spatial orientation of the receptacle within the accommodatingregion (64).
 9. The device as recited in one of claims 8 through 9,wherein the device has an optical or mechanical scanning device (70) forscanning the coding region (14) on the housing (10) of the receptacle.